William A. K. Martin (American, 1817-1867)

Perils of the Deep
1849
oil on canvas
signed and dated W.A.K. Martin, Phila. / 1849, lower left
further signed and identified Perils of the Deep / Martin pinx Philadelphia 1849, verso
26 1/2 x 35 1/2 inches.

The subject of this painting is likely the rescue of a storm-damaged French frigate by the USS Delaware III in the Mediterranean Sea (1843-1844). According to Captain Dale Mayberry, USN, former director of the United States Naval Academy, there were nine "three-decker" ship-of-the-line vessels in the United States Navy, but only the Delaware III was fitted with an Indian figurehead, as seen in the painting offered here.

The Delaware III was built at the Norfolk Navy Yard and launched on October 21, 1820. She was captained by J. Downs and designed as the flagship of Commodore W. M. Crane in service of American commercial and diplomatic interests in the Mediterranean. The Delaware III was decommissioned in 1830, returning to sea in the summer of 1833 for goodwill visits, again in the Mediterranean. Later, she patrolled the South American coasts during periods of political strife in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. She was decommissioned in 1844 at the Norfolk Navy Yard and was burned there in 1861 along with several other vessels to prevent confiscation by the Confederacy.

Framed: 35 3/4 x 44 3/4 inches.

In overall fine condition, with old, seemingly stable craquelure throughout. Canvas has been relined. Under UV light examination, spots of inpainting are visible in corners and at center, with other small specks throughout. Chips to gilt of frame.

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Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Ben Fisher

Managing Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.447.3270

Mr. Fisher rejoined the firm in 2019 after working as a specialist in the American Furniture and Folk Art department at Sotheby’s New York. His areas of expertise include 18th, 19th, and 20th century American, Continental, and English furniture, decorative and folk art. Before coming to Hindman in 2013, Mr. Fisher worked in European Furniture and Decorative Arts in Philadelphia. He began his career working for a prints dealer focusing on works from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

Leah Vogelpohl

AVP, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts

[email protected]513.666.4960

Ms. Vogelpohl joined the firm in 2013 as a cataloger in the American and European Furniture and Decorative Arts department. She became a department specialist in 2017, focusing on American decorative arts and silver. She received a BA from the College of Charleston and an MLITT in Art History from the University of Glasgow.

Katie Benedict

Associate Specialist, Furniture & Decorative Arts

[email protected]513-871-1670

Beyond a Cincinnati Legacy: The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fleischmann III, Part II

William A. K. Martin (American, 1817-1867)

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